Geared Up Issue 1 2015 | Page 22

Board of Directors Continued from Page 19 In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge currently facing PF franchisees? The proliferation of copycat fitness centers. The brand will need to constantly evolve to stay ahead of the competition and maintain our margins. In your opinion, what is the most valuable benefit franchisees get for their PFIFA dues? The association has already delivered an incredible amount of value on the franchise and ADA agreements. The association was instrumental in decommissioning Visionary and transitioning to ABC. We’ve maintained a“win-win”attitude with corporate and that has built the trust to accomplish a lot more in the near future. What charitable or community organizations are you involved with? We are active in our church and coach an enormous number of youth sports. What do you do for fun? Fun? Who has time for fun? I’d like to golf, fish and travel for leisure more often. Tell us a little about your family: My wife, Elizabeth, has tolerated me for 16 years and we’re fortunate to have four healthy, smart and active children. What is your favorite exercise/ workout? Watching a football game on my couch with my family snacking on wings, pizza and nachos. | 2015 Issue 1 GearedUp Name: CJ Bouchard Company: PF Eastern NC No. of Clubs: 10 Years in System: 11 20 How did you get into the PF system and what drew you to the brand? I was an independent personal trainer working in Orange, Connecticut, for 10 years under the guidance of Joe Pepe Sr. I moved to North Carolina in 2003 to raise a family and heard about Joe switching his World Gyms to Planet Fitness and it intrigued me. I said, "If Joe Pepe was making that move, something must be going on." I flew to New Hampshire and met with Mike and Marc Grondahl and Chris Rondeau and subsequently signed my franchise agreement in 2004. What is your favorite thing about the brand? We have the best owners in the industry. We all want the best for the brand and we all work hard. It's a family and we built it. We have sometimes failed, but we always got up and wiped ourselves off and did it better next time. What do you look forward to accomplishing during your term? I like to think my involvement in the PFIFA will allow all of us to have more open lines of communication between our franchisor and the franchisee base. The creation of a strong purchasing co-op is extremely importa